Traveling from Clinton to Franklin covers approximately 190.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. Given the duration, this 190.1-mile trek is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $28 for fuel to complete the journey. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, the drive offers a more intimate look at the Southeast landscape. It is a straightforward trip that provides plenty of flexibility for your schedule, making it an ideal choice for a quick transition between these two Tennessee cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.6 miles from Clinton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
134.5 mi
2h 24m
I 65
14.1 mi
15m
Harriman Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Oliver Springs Highway
7.1 mi
12m
East Tri County Boulevard
4.6 mi
5m
North Roane Street
4.1 mi
4m
Murfreesboro Road
2.3 mi
3m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 134.5 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, TN and Franklin, TN.
1
Start on Market Street
135 ft·10 sec·Market Street
2
Turn left onto US 25W
0.5 mi·51 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto TN 61
2.1 mi·3 min·South Charles G Seivers Boulevard
4
Continue on TN 61
0.5 mi·49 sec·South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard
5
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Highway
6
Continue on TN 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Oak Ridge Turnpike
7
Turn right onto TN 61
7.1 mi·12 min·Oliver Springs Highway
8
Turn right onto SR 61; SR 62
4.6 mi·5 min·East Tri County Boulevard
9
Continue on SR 61
9.6 mi·10 min·Harriman Highway
10
Merge onto US 27
0.2 mi·10 sec·Bitter Creek Highway
11
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·15 sec·Harriman Highway
12
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Hannah Highway
13
Continue on US 27
4.1 mi·4 min·North Roane Street
14
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
15
Merge onto I 40
134 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 213AToward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 53Toward I 440 West: Memphis
18
Continue on I 440
2.1 mi·2 min·Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 5Toward I 65: Nashville, HuntsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
21
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 5Toward 65: Huntsville
22
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 65Toward TN 96: Franklin, MurfreesboroUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto TN 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Murfreesboro Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on TN 96
0.3 mi·34 sec·3rd Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Enter roundabout onto US 31 Business; TN 96
397 ft·6 sec·Public Square
27
Arrive at destination
US 31 Business; TN 96
Trip Plan
Since the route is entirely local and contains no high-speed highway segments, plan for a steady pace rather than a quick sprint. You should factor in at least one stop to break up the driving time and stretch your legs during the 190.1-mile transit. Aim to depart early in the day to navigate the local roads during daylight hours, which helps with visibility on the frequent turns. With a fuel budget of $28, filling your tank before departing Clinton is a smart move to avoid searching for stations along the more winding sections. Keeping your navigation tools ready is essential, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads makes staying on track a priority throughout the trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.6 miles from Clinton, TN, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.6 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clinton, TN
This is one driving day of about 189.3 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Clinton, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 134.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.5 and 186.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
33.5 mi into trip|~45m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
167.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 213A
Toward I 24 East, I 440 West: Memphis, Chattano...
8
171.3 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
6
171.4 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 South: Huntsville
8
186.2 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward TN 96: Franklin, Murfreesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.59 one way
$59.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.49
$64.99
premium
$4.89
$36.43
$72.86
diesel
$5.61
$41.80
$83.59
Estimated Tolls: $0.08
Oak Ridge Turnpike
(1.1 mi)$0.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
Efficient EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
EV Truck/SUV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.12
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clinton, TN
Late night
in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, TN
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 156.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Navigating North Main Street, South Charles G Seivers Boulevard, and South Charles G requires your full attention due to the constant adjustments needed on these local roads. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment is 0 miles on North Main Street. This technical, winding experience contrasts sharply with standard highway travel, keeping you engaged behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by these constant turns, ensuring that your 3-hour journey remains active and varied from start to finish.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.5 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 189.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 33.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton, TN and Franklin, TN, road signs point toward Chattanooga, Huntsville and 65: Huntsville.
Franklin is a city of 81,000 people (2018) in Tennessee, just a few miles south of Nashville.
There are two main areas of interest. One is the Cool Springs area, which is identified by its corporate and retail growth surrounding one of the largest malls in the Southeast, the CoolSprings Galleria. The other is historic downtown Franklin which retains much of its small town charm. It is a walkable, friendly historic downtown district, recognized as a Great American Main Street.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 189.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.08 in tolls one way, starting with Oak Ridge Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Franklin, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
